1. POLICY
1.1 All employees are required to be clean and display a neat and tidy appearance. When there is any possibility that they will have direct contact with customers/clients, they must look smart and well groomed. This policy applies to all Transport Executive employees.
2. RECRUITMENT PROCEDURE
2.1 On recruitment, and again on subsequent changes of job, the Human Resources Team will outline the standards of dress which apply.
3. FRONTLINE STAFF WITH CUSTOMER CONTACT
3.1 In frontline positions, employees are required to wear Transport Executive uniform. The uniform must be worn throughout working hours and be maintained in a neat and tidy condition. Hair must be kept clean and tidy. Offensive styles and colours are not acceptable.
3.2 Staff designated to wear Transport Executive uniform will be issued with the appropriate garments, subject to service requirements, at regular intervals.
3.3 Staff are required to look after their uniform, if any repairs or damages occur they should inform the Human Resources Team. Cleaning tokens will be provided for uniform wearers. These tokens are to be used only on the dry cleaning of Transport Executive uniform. Where it is believed an employee is misusing these tokens the normal disciplinary procedure may apply.
4. OTHER STAFF
4.1 Casual clothing is not acceptable, this includes denim clothing and trainers etc. Staff must be clean, smart and well presented. Certain jobs may require staff to wear appropriate clothing. Hair must be kept clean and tidy. Offensive styles and colours are not acceptable.
5. SENIOR MANAGERS/DIRECTORS
5.1 Senior Managers should wear smart clothing, ideally suits or coordinated items. Hair must be kept clean and tidy. Offensive styles and colours are not acceptable.
6. JEWELLERY/BODY ART, BADGES, ETC
6.1 The Transport Executive reserves the right to insist that employees do not wear jewellery which it believes may cause offence to customers or other members of staff. Staff with body art will be asked, where possible, to cover up the affected area.
7. PERSONAL HYGIENE
7.1 Employees are required to have a clean appearance. The Transport Executive recognises that problems in personal hygiene can be related to illnesses and stress. If a member of staff is concerned about their own or a colleague’s personal hygiene they can speak to the Line Manager or Human Resources. All discussions will be dealt with confidentially and discreetly.
7.2 Should any employees have difficulties maintaining these standards they should discuss the matter with their immediate supervisor, or the Human Resources Team if they prefer, in the first instance.
7.3 Consideration of circumstances will be taken into account in a confidential manner.
7.4 Employees who do not comply with these standards may be subject to the Transport Executive’s normal disciplinary procedure. In serious cases, where an employee’s appearance is, in the Transport Executive’s view, unacceptable, the employee will be required to return home to change. The decision to send an employee home to change is that of the Line Manager and the Human Resources Team. The duration of absence is to be taken in line with the Transport Executive’s Flexi-Time scheme. Staff who do not work under the Flexi-time scheme will have to make alternative arrangements, with their Line Manager, to make up any lost time.
7.5 Employees have the right to lodge an appeal against a decision on the acceptability of their appearance, using the Transport Executive’s grievance procedure.
7.6 The Transport Executive reserves the right to change the uniform as necessary in order to ensure it conforms to the corporate image. Employees will be issued with new uniforms, free of charge, when such changes are introduced.
7.7 Failure to wear Transport Executive uniform, or to keep it in an acceptable condition, will be treated as misconduct and may be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure. The Transport Executive appreciates that uniforms will deteriorate with wear. If an employee believes that their uniform is not of an acceptable standard they should contact their Line Manager, who will contact the Human Resources Team.
8. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
8.1 The Personal Protective Equipment at Work (PPE) regulations 1992 requires the Transport Executive to provide protective clothing to employees in identified areas. The procedure for the Assessment and Issue of Personal Protective Equipment can be obtained from the Human Resources Team. All such clothing will be provided to the employees concerned, free of charge, and must be worn at all times within the workplace. Failure to wear protective clothing, may be treated as a disciplinary offence. If the risk of injury is great the failure may, depending on the surrounding circumstances and any mitigating factors, be treated as gross misconduct.
8.2 Further information may be obtained from the Human Resources Team.
For and on behalf of UNISON
------Date ------
Chair, Branch Committee
For and on behalf of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive
------Date ------
Passenger Services Director
AGREEMENT REFERENCE: P2 (April 08)